1.

Vocabulary
a. Upward trend
- rise / a rise
- Increase (by double,…) / an increase
- Climb / a climb
- Grow / a growth
- Go up
- Improve / an improvement
- Jump up / leap (hop) up
- Shoot up / soar up / rocket to
- Surge / a surge in : to increase suddenly and by a large amount
b. Downward trend
- Reduce / reduction
- decrease / a decrease
- Drop / a drop
- Fall / a fall
- Decline / a decline
- Go down / come down
- Plummet to sth / a plummet in sth : to go down in amount or value very quickly and
suddenly ( e.g: The food retailer's shares plummeted 17.5p to 227.5p)
- Tumble to sth ( from sth) / take a tumble : to go down in amount or value very quickly
and suddenly ( e.g: Its stock has tumbled to $1.62 a share from a high of $14 last
week.)
- Slump / a slump in : a fall in the price, value, sales, etc. of something
- Dwindle (from sth) to sth : to become smaller in size or amount, or fewer in number,
or lower in level ( e.g: The municipality's population has dwindled from 40,000 to
24,000. )
- dip from sth to sth / dip by / a dip in : to go down to a lower level, often by a small
amount or for a short time ( e.g: Group sales dipped by 4% last quarter )
c. Others
- Remain steady / stable / unchanged / constant
- Fluctuate / a fluctuation
- Level off : to stop rising or falling and stay at the same level
- Plateau / reach (hit) a plateau: to reach a level and stay there, rather than rising or
falling/ a period during which there are no big changes
- Peak at / reach a peak of / hit a high of
- Hit a low of / relative lows of …( near the lowest points)
- Bottom out: to reach the lowest point in a continuously changing level that is about to
start rising or increasing again
- The greatest increase is recorded for …
- The figure for…
- The reserve is true…
- Account for / comprise of / make up / be
- Respectively
- Followed by…
d. Adverbs and adjectives
- steadily / steady = gradually / gradual = slightly / slight = slow / slowly
- Sharply / sharp = rapidly / rapid = steeply / steep = dramatically / dramatic =
significantly / significant = considerably / considerable = wild / wildly = sudden /
suddenly = remarkably / remarkable = noticeably / noticeable
- Generally = mostly
e. Time expressions
- over the next … days ( years ) / in the following … days( years )
- At the beginning / end of the period
- The first / last / final years
- From … to / between … and…
f. Linking words
- While / whereas / compared to / as opposed to / in comparison with / by contrast /
conversely
- In terms of…
- Similarly / likewise
- on the other hand / however
- In / with regards to : in connection with = regarding
g. Paraphrasing words
- expenditure = the amount of money spent
- Percentage = proportion = the number of
- Show = illustrate = provide information about = depict = describe = detail = give
statistics for = delineate = present = display = reveal = demonstrate
- Break down sth by sth = be categorized by…
- Sources of energy = energy production from different sources
- Fabrication = production
- Fabric = material
- Method = procedure = way
- Constitute = make or form something
- Distinguishable = distinctive = recognizable
- Date back = from a long time ago
- Eventually = finally
h. Vocabulary for data
- Under:
+ ( Just / slightly / well ) under
+ ( Considerably) less than
+ Below
+ Almost
+ Nearly
+ Close to
- About:
+ Approximately
+ Around
+ More or less
- Above:
+ (Just / slightly / well ) over
+ ( considerably) more than
+ ( marginally) above
i. Vocabulary for diagram
- First of all / firstly / to begin / beginning with / in the first step
- After that / then / next / in the next step / subsequently / subsequent to this step /
following this / from that point / followed by / provide a breakdown of
- Commence = start
- From this point = starting here
- Final processing = last stage
- Process = diagram
- Prior to = before
- During which time = at the time
- Overall / Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that
- initial step = first stage
- Precede = come before
- Grinder = crusher
j. Vocabulary for map
- north, east, south, and west
- northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest
- Perpendicular to: at right angles to (Eg: The main road is perpendicular to the train
station.) : vuông góc
- Along = nearby
- On the western side of
- In the north western corner of
- To the east of…
- Erect = build
- Still there / still exist / remain (stay) unchanged / experience no change
- In close proximity to = close to
- Parallel to : song song với
2. How to analyze pie charts
a. Make notes about figures

- Insurance went from 2% to 3% to 8% so that is a clear upward trend, so we should

make a note on the final pie chart of x4 (four times), and draw a straight upward
arrow to show a clear large increase.
- Teachers’ salaries initially went up from 40% to 50% before falling to 45%, so it was
an overall increase of 5% (or about 10% of the original 40%). Therefore, we make a
note on the final pie chart of +10% and draw a fluctuating arrow but with a clear
increase overall.
- Furniture and equipment decreased from 15% to 5%, then went up to 23%, so it’s an
overall increase of 30%. Thus, we make a note and draw an arrow going down
and up with a clear increase overall.
- In contrast, resources went from 15% to 20% to 9%, which is an overall drop, so we
make a note on the final chart of x2 (2 times) , and draw an arrow going up and
down.
b. Make Notes about Positions
For example, in 1991 Other workers’ salaries was the 2nd largest area of school spending,
whereas in 2001 it had dropped to the 3rd largest area. Thus, we write “2 to 3” next to
that part of the pie chart and draw an arrow to show its direction of change.
c. Select, group and compare
For example:
- it is now clear that three areas experienced an upward trend, whereas two areas had
a downward trend.
- It is also clear that according to the three charts, Teachers’ salaries remained the
largest area of spending throughout the twenty year period.
- In contrast, the percentage of money spent on Furniture and equipment became the
second largest area of spending, overtaking Other workers’ salaries.
- By the end of the period twice as much was spent on Teachers’ Salaries compared
to Furniture and equipment.
- By 2001 three times as much was spent on Teachers’ Salaries compared to Other
workers’ salaries.
3. How to write graphs / charts / table ( tips )
- Having a clear introduction ( 1 or 2 sentences ) : paraphrase the line graph
information
- Putting all main trends in an overview statement ( 2 sentences in a separate
paragraph ) :
+ starting with the word “ overall ”
+ Using comparatives
+ no specific numbers and details
+ Selecting 2/3/4 key features depending on all the information
⇒ no conclusion
 - Using a range of vocabulary, present verb form and do not make spelling mistakes
- Putting numbers / percentages / dates to support the body paragraphs
- Organizing the body paragraphs logically ( depending on time, lines, categories,
numbers,…) and leaving an empty line between 2 paragraphs to make them easier
to see (recommendation)
+ Body 1: 2-3 complex sentences with 5 most important data ( details of the first
chart / graph / table if it is a mixed chart task)
+ Body 2: 2-3 complex sentences with 5 most important data ( details of the
second chart / graph / table if it is a mixed chart task)
- If there are currencies, percentages,…, writers can use symbols to avoid repeating
words
- Being selective in choosing key features
- Do not spend more than 20 minutes on task 1( spending 15 minutes writing and 5
minutes checking )
- Aim for 160-190 words

The table shows the value of fish that was imported to the US (measured in billions of
dollars) in 1988, 1992 and 2000, while the three pie charts illustrate the amount of fish that
the US brought in from China, Canada and other countries in the same three years.
 Overall, the value of imports rose by just under double over the period given. At the start of
the period, the US imported fish predominantly from Canada but, by 1992 other countries
became the main source.

Regarding the table, the value of imports started at $6.57 billion in the first year, increasing
to $8.52 in 1992 and reaching $10.72 in the last year.

In terms of the source of fish importation, Canada supplied the overwhelming majority in
1998 (60%) compared to China and other countries which provided only 13% and 27%
respectively. The imports from Canada then proceeded to fall 28% in the final year.
Conversely, by 1992, other countries had replaced Canada as the main supplier and made
up 46% of all imports in 1992 and 42%by 2000. Likewise, imports from China rose over the
period to reach 30% in 2000.
( this is estimated at band 9)
4. How to write a diagram
- Introduction (1 sentence): paraphrasing what the diagram shows
- Overview ( 2 sentences in a separate paragraph ) : giving a general description of
the diagram/s or process. State the information simply using synonyms where
possible. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar structures are required, just the
appropriate words and correct verb tenses.
- Body 1 ( 2-3 complex sentences):
+ Beginning writing about the details of the process
+ Trying to make it a little wordy
+ Dividing steps of the process logically and suitably into 2 parts which have
some main stages. Describing the first part of the process with details,
vocabulary and correct verb forms (passive, …)
+ Try to paraphrase some of the words from process as much as possible
+ No opinion
- Body 2 (2-3 complex sentences):
+ Writing the rest of the process
+ Try to paraphrase some of the words from process as much as possible
+ Adding in the last step of the process
+ No opinion
EXAMPLE: The diagram details the process of making leather products.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
The diagram details the process by which leather products are made for retail.

Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are 3 main steps to this
entirely man-made process beginning with initial transportation of the raw material to the
factory, followed by preparation and processing of the material, and finally the production of
consumer products.

Firstly, the leather skins from various animals are dried. Subsequent to this, they are taken
to a factory by truck where they are washed in water and lime. The skins are then soaked in
more lime for a period of time before being run through a machine with large rollers that
flattens them out.

Next, the flattened skins are soaked in tannin, which is composed of water and vegetable
matter. They are then polished by another rolling device and taken to another factory by
trucks. In this factory, the final products are crafted and available to consumer shops.
5. How to write a map task
- Introduction (1 sentence): paraphrasing what the map shows
- Overview ( 2 sentences):
+ Touching on all areas (without simply listing them) by trying to group them
together in some way (and define, not give an opinion on, the biggest
changes, trends).
+ No opinion
- Body 1 (2-3 complex sentences):
+ Beginning writing about the details of map and the changes
+ Comparing as much as possible
+ Dividing all the details suitably and logically into 2 parts for paragraph 3 and
4. Detailing the changes of the first part fully and making sure everything is
detailed
 + Using appropriate vocabulary, verb forms and tenses
- Body 2 ( 2-3 complex sentences):
+ Writing about the rest of the changes. Making sure that everything is detailed
including what changed and what did not change
+ Comparing as much as possible
+ Using appropriate verb forms, tenses, vocabulary
EXAMPLE: The two maps below show road access to a city hospital in 2007 and in 2010.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

The two presented maps describe the changes that took place at a city hospital from 2007
to 2010.

Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the largest changes involved
transportation, including additional public parking, the construction of a nearby bus station
and new roundabouts.

The majority of the hospital underwent very little change. The roads (Ring, City, and
Hospital road) all remained largely the same, though two small lanes were built off of
hospital road to link up with the new bus station and roundabouts on either end of Hospital
road (where it bisects with Ring and City road) were added. The city hospital building itself
was unaltered.
The changes were mainly around the hospital and the largest of these was related to
parking. In 2007, there was a small parking lot along Hospital road for both staff and the
public. By 2010 they had decided to separate the public and staff parking by adding an
exclusively public parking area running along the east side of the city hospital.